Europe has been reluctant to become involved as only 4 per cent of oil it consumes transits Hormuz. The Strait handles 40 per cent of China’s seaborne oil imports and 40-60 per cent of India’s imports. Oil tankers and cargo ships line up in the Strait of Hormuz. US military planners have told the Financial Times the time is not ripe for thin-hulled US ships to attempt to pass through Hormuz. [ Iran war opens a dangerous new front for the US president: his Maga baseOpens in new window ]

Source: The Irish Times March 21, 2026 04:21 UTC